Ontogeny of Caulleriella bremecae (Polychaeta: Cirratulidae): Evidence of viviparity

MARIA ANDREA SARACHO BOTTERO; RODOLFO ELIAS; WAGNER MAGALHÃES

Wales

Conferencia; 12th International Polychaete Conference; 2016

National Museum Wales, Cardiff

Caulleriella bremecae was described from sewage-impacted areas in a warm-temperate region of Mar del Plata (38° S). In this work, we expand the distribution of this species to the Patagonia locality of Puerto Madryn (42° S) in a cold-temperate region. Mature individuals of this species were observed with intracoelomic embryos in different developmental stages along the body. The embryos in the anterior region of the body were more developed than posterior ones, with the concave surface in contact with the intestine of the worm. Scanning electronic microscopy showed that the contact area of both, parental and embryos havea tissue with microvilli, suggesting an interchangeable surface. The chaetal patterns in early stages of development are also shown.